20/1/2018 D10T TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR RJG00001-UP (MACHINE) POWERED BY C27 Engine(SEBP3655 - 162) - Documentation

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Product: TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR
Model: D10T TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR RJG
Configuration: D10T TRACK-TYPE TRACTOR RJG00001-UP (MACHINE)
POWERED BY C27 Engine

Special Instruction
Determining the Cause of Fuel Dilution of Engine Oil {1101, 1124, 1251, 1280, 1290}
Media Number -REHS3007-13 Publication Date -08/12/2014 Date Updated -11/09/2017

i07174087

Determining the Cause of Fuel Dilution of Engine Oil {1101, 1124,

1251, 1280, 1290}
SMCS - 1101; 1124; 1251; 1280; 1290

Caterpillar Products
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Introduction
Before you perform any procedure in this Special Instruction, read the information and understand the
information that is contained in this instruction.

This special instruction includes the recommended methods for determining fuel dilution of the engine oil.
Additionally, the probable causes and the recommendation for correcting the fuel dilution are provided.

Recommended Actions
Measuring Fuel Dilution

Diesel fuel is chemically similar to the lubricants that are used in diesel engines. A slow fuel leak will blend the
fuel into the oil. Normal operating temperatures may cause volatile parts of the fuel to vaporize. The fuel that
remains in the oil is less volatile.

A closed cup flash test is sometimes used to detect fuel dilution. The flash test is designed to measure the
volatile parts of the fuel that are remaining in the oil. Detecting less volatile fuel is difficult, detection reduces
the accuracy of the flash test.

Since the flash test does not accurately detect fuel dilution, do not use the flash test as the only measure of
fuel dilution. Instead, verify the dilution by the following methods:

Gas chromatograph fuel dilution test

Oil viscosity

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The gas chromatograph method is designed to measure fuel dilution in crankcase oils. The gas chromatograph
instrument can identify the small chemical differences between diesel fuel and lubricating oil. A gas
chromatograph is used to measure fuel dilution at all Caterpillar regional SOS Service labs. Some Caterpillar
dealers also use a gas chromatograph. Even though the gas chromatograph provides a more accurate measure of
fuel dilution, always verify the results with the viscosity test.

A significant level of fuel dilution reduces oil viscosity. If an unacceptable level of fuel dilution is suspected, the
kinematic viscosity of the oil must be measured.

Fuel dilution that is greater than 6 percent will usually cause viscosity that is less than the specified viscosity
grade. If the oil is still within the specified viscosity grade, likely fuel dilution has not reached an unacceptable
level. Use the following chart to determine if viscosity has reached the minimum acceptable level. The
guidelines of viscosity in the chart are slightly less than the limits of the SAE viscosity grades. However, these
guidelines still provide adequate engine protection.

Table 1
Minimum Oil Viscosity at 100 °C with Fuel
Viscosity
Dilution Greater Than 6% as Measured by Action
Grade
a Gas Chromatograph
0W-40
5W-40
11.0 cSt
10W-40 Investigate the cause of fuel dilution or reduce
15W-40 the engine oil change interval. Refer to the
0W-30 engine Troubleshooting manual.
5W-30 8.0 cSt
10W-30

Verifying Fuel Dilution

Always verify fuel dilution by the combination of low oil viscosity and a gas chromatograph result. A result in
excess of 6 percent dilution is required before investigating or servicing the engine. Ask your dealership to
submit an oil sample to a Caterpillar regional SOS Service lab for analysis. Unless the dilution test can be
performed at your dealership.

Troubleshooting for Sources of Fuel Dilution

Low Pressure Fuel System Sources for Increased Fuel Dilution

Verify system pressures at idle, high idle, and immediately after shutdown.

Measure the fuel pressure at the following locations to be sure that the pressures meet the Application and
Installation Guide specifications.

Inlet to cylinder head

Outlet of cylinder head before return pressure regulator

Outlet of return pressure regulator

Verify that there are no restrictions.

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Excessive restrictions may cause elevated system operating pressure, which would result in increased
leakage rate.

Verify that there is no debris lodged in the pressure regulator.

If pressure is maintained on the head after shutdown:

Verify that the electric priming pump (if equipped) is not powered when the key is off.

Verify that the purge orifice in the pressure regulator is not plugged.

Use the following procedure to determine the locations of sources of fuel dilution around the electronic unit
injectors under the valve cover.

The tools that are required are listed below:

1U-5566 Ultraviolet Lamp Gp

1U-5575 Additive Dye

19 L (5 US gal) container for fuel

Note: The engine must be at operating temperature or near operating temperature in order to perform this test.

Note: Do not exceed 745 kPa (108 psi) of fuel pressure in the rail of the cylinder head when you pressurize the
fuel system with a priming pump.

1. Add dye to the fuel in the container per the instructions for the dye and mix well.

2. Put the inlet and return lines for the fuel in the container with dyed fuel.

3. Start the engine. Operate the engine until at least 11 L (3 US gal) of fuel is used, or operate the engine
until the dyed fuel has returned to the container. Stop the engine.

4. Remove the valve covers.

5. Cap the fuel line and pressurize the fuel system with a priming pump.

6. Use the black light to inspect all of the unit injectors. A leak is indicated by a definite streak of dyed fuel
at the leaking location.

Leaking Seals on the Body or the Sleeve of the Unit Injector

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Illustration 1 g01303494
(1) Fuel leakage is normal in these areas. Do not replace the fuel injector if fuel is leaking in this area.
(2) Replace the fuel injector if fuel is leaking in this area.
(3) Replace the O-rings if fuel is leaking in this area. Do not replace the fuel injector.

Illustration 1 shows the areas on the unit injector that leaks are normal. The Illustration also shows the areas that
service may be needed.

Check the torque for the unit injector clamp retaining bolts. Ensure that the unit injectors are properly installed
into the cylinder head. Look for damage to the unit injector sleeves and for damage to the O-ring seals. Replace
any seals or sleeves that show evidence of leakage.

Leaking from the Seal from the Solenoid to the Housing or Cracked
Body of the Unit Injector
Use the "Troubleshooting for Sources of Fuel Dilution" procedure above to confirm the location of the fuel leak.
Confirm the leak is either from a solenoid to the joint seal for the housing, or from a damaged unit injector body.
Remove injectors that are suspected of having a damaged body and inspect the injectors for visible cracks.
Replace a unit injector if either the seals are leaking, the body is cracked, or the body is damaged resulting in
fuel leaking.

Excessive Leakage from the Unit Injector Tip or a Broken Unit

Injector Tip

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Look for signs of damage to the unit injectors. If necessary, replace the unit injectors that have damaged tips.
Use 164-3310 Infrared Thermometer, 164-3320 Infrared Thermometer Gp, or 166-9030 Infrared Thermometer
Gp to identify excessive tip leakage while the engine is running.

Cracked Cylinder Head or Leaking Cylinder Head Gasket

Check for symptoms of a damaged cylinder head or of a damaged cylinder head gasket. Inspect the cooling
system for contamination of fuel. Inspect the crankcase for dilution of the engine oil. Dilution may be a sign of a
cracked cylinder head or of a leaking cylinder head gasket.

C27 and C32 Cylinder Heads

Illustration 2 g01353619

Plug the side of the cylinder head that returns the fuel. Ensure that the fuel rail is full of fuel. Pressurize the fuel
rail from the intake side of the head. Do not exceed 550 kPa (80 psi). Check under the valve covers for fuel that
is leaking from holes (4).

Leakage of the Drive Shaft Seal on the Fuel Transfer Pump

Ensure that the weep hole for the fuel transfer pump is not plugged. Inspect the front of the pump for signs of
leakage. If necessary, repair the fuel transfer pump or replace the fuel transfer pump.

The Duty Cycle for Machine Applications Requires a Reduced Oil

Change Interval
The machine application or the duty cycle may be contributing to unacceptable fuel dilution. Engines that
function properly can exhibit excessive fuel dilution from idling for long periods at a time. Under high loads and
the resulting in high temperatures from the crankcase, some fuel is removed from the engine oil by the
distillation. The oil samples will indicate different levels of fuel dilution. Less fuel dilution occurs while the
engine is under heavy load. More fuel dilution occurs while the engine is under light loads. Fuel dilution may
increase during periods of cold weather. Engines that run cold due to leaking thermostats may also exhibit an
increase in fuel dilution.

If the other causes of fuel dilution are eliminated, then the duty cycle of the machine may require a reduced oil
change interval. Use the following procedure to determine the cause.

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1. Verify the fuel dilution by low viscosity and a gas chromatograph fuel dilution test. The fuel dilution test
should be equal to or greater than 6 percent. Refer to Table 1 above for minimum viscosity by oil grade.

2. Initially, reduce the engine oil change interval by 50 hours. Submit oil samples for evaluation at one half
of the new interval and at the time of the new interval.

3. If the reduced interval produces acceptable results from the oil analysis, continue operation with that
interval.

4. If viscosity and fuel dilution are still unacceptable, reduce the service by another 50 hours. Evaluate the
results from each oil sample. Refer to Step 2 for the proper procedure on evaluating the oil samples.

5. Continue the above process until acceptable results for gas chromatograph fuel dilution and for oil
viscosity are obtained.

Copyright 1993 - 2018 Caterpillar Inc. Sat Jan 20 2018 15:13:57 GMT-0500 (Hora est. Pacífico, Sudamérica)
All Rights Reserved.
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